My London: Maureen Paley

The pioneering east London gallerist loves dinner at St John, heads to Gelupo for gelato and has a plea for Sadiq Khan 
Maureen Paley
CAMERA PRESS/Mark C O'Flaherty
Hannah Flint26 September 2019

Home is…

East London since 1977.

Which hotels do you stay at in London?

In the past, I’d stay at Claridge’s and the Savoy, but now I try to spotlight places that are close to the gallery. When artists come to stay, we use Shoreditch House and The Ace.

The Ace hotel

Last play you saw?

I’m more into music than theatre. The last thing I saw was Benjamin Britten’s War Requiem with set design by Wolfgang Tillmans at the English National Opera.

What do you collect?

Artists! But also objects related to eyes, hands and hearts. I look for them wherever I go and have done so for 30 years.

Bus, taxi or Tube?

I like walking. One of the joys of living in the East End is that so much is within walking distance.

Where would you recommend for a first date?

In the old days, you’d go for a drink at the French House, or to the Curzon cinema.

What would you do if you were Mayor for the day?

I would order all the roadworks to be completed so that traffic could flow freely. I hope Sadiq reads this and does something about it!

Who is the most iconic Londoner in history?

The queens: both Elizabeths and Victoria.

Queen Victoria
Getty Images

Where do you go to let your hair down?

Westerns Laundry for the interiors as much as the food; XU is a wonderland of interiors; Brat — it deserves all the praise it gets — and the great Gelupo for ice cream.

What are you up to at the moment for work?

Planning a show to open with Liam Gillick and supporting Lawrence Abu Hamdan for his Turner Prize nomination. Plus working towards our participation in the forthcoming Frieze art fair.

Liam Gillick artwork

Best meal you’ve had?

St John in Smithfield has been a ‘go to’ favourite since it opened.

If you could buy any building, which would it be?

The Sir John Soane’s Museum. It’s so eccentric — I wouldn’t change a thing.

Sir John Soane's Museum

Where would you most like to be buried?

Highgate Cemetery. The first time I went, I thought, ‘This would be an amazing placed to be buried.’

What makes someone a Londoner?

They can’t just live here, they have to love this great city.

Which shops do you rely on?

Donlon Books on Broadway Market, Labour and Wait on Redchurch Street for household objects. Leila’s Shop on Calvert Avenue is a favourite for eggs and the best marmalade ever — and Santa Maria No vella in Piccadilly Arcade for amazing soaps, potions and lotions.

Biggest extravagance?

Chocolate and perfume — I’m addicted!

What’s your London secret?

Escaping its clutches to come back and appreciate it better. It’s a fantastic city to leave and return to throughout the year. My work allows me that.

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